CHAP. LVL THE KING'S UNCLES CAIN A VICTORY OVER THE DUKE OF IRELAND, WHO SAVES ' HIMSELF Mt FLIGHT WITH OTHERS OF HIS ARMY. J^EWS.was brought to the duke of Glocefter* who was encamped in a handfome mead along a river that falls into the Thames, three leagues from Oxford, that the dukè ôf Ireland had taken the field, and had drawn up his force in order of battle. The duke was well pleafed with this intelligence* and faid he would offer him combat, but they muft crofs the Thames. " The trumpets founded to diflodge, and the army was formed as if for immediate battle. ' They were within two leagues of the enemy, lying in ambufh, until they could crofs the river. The duke of Glo-cefter fent fcouts to have the fords examined, who brought word the river had not, for thirty years,5 been fo low as it then -was. The fcouts after this eafily croffed, and advanced to obferve the pofitiori and countenance of the enemy. ' On their return, they faid to the duke,—1 My lord, God and the river aie foi you : it is fo low* it does not reach the bellies of our horfes. Wë have feen the army of the duke of Ireland, which is Well :. VOL. VIII. A a and 353